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August 8, 2010

Swap Out Hillary C. for Joe B. in 2012??

Monique Chartier

That's the idea that "Tingles" Matthews has been exploring. From NewsBusters' Noel Sheppard.

The panel of the syndicated "Chris Matthews Show" this weekend campaigned for Hillary Clinton to replace Joe Biden as Vice President in order to assist Barack Obama's re-election in 2012 and set her up for a successful presidential bid in 2016.

As NewsBusters reported Wednesday, Chris Matthews on that evening's "Hardball" had former Virginia governor Doug Wilder and New York magazine's John Heilemann on to discuss the merits of this strategy.

The "Hardball" host must have found this quite compelling, for he decided to do an entire segment on his weekend program with guests Erin Burnett of CNBC, Kelly O'Donnell of NBC, Howard Fineman of Newsweek, and Heilemann.

Substitute Hillary's baggage and personality for Biden's gaffes? "Obama/Clinton 2012"? Wouldn't that be a dream ticket ... for the Republicans?

Comments

The modern Democratic party: All identity politics, all the time.

Posted by: Andrew at August 8, 2010 10:06 PM

The 45th to 50th presidents will probably still be dealing with the military and economic disasters of the 43rd.

Thanks, to Pro-War, Draft-Dodging, Chicken-Hawk, COWARDS
Bush and Cheney
who refused to fight for their country
in Vietnam

Posted by: Sammy at August 8, 2010 10:56 PM

Sammy-forgetting someone?Clinton didn't lie and scheme to dodge the draft,now did he?
Once you start on that path,there are lots of targets.
The political ranks and the world of "pundits"are filled with draft evaders.Right,left,whatever,makes no difference.
In Obama's age group it's not an issue as the draft was long over when he turned 18.

Posted by: joe bernstein at August 9, 2010 6:55 AM

Hillary has so much baggage. But memories are short and if the media does not serve up reminders, it may well be forgotten. Every time I hear her refer to her husband's presidency as "my eight years in the White House", I cringe.

Posted by: Warrington Faust at August 9, 2010 8:02 AM

Hi!
No President has changed Vice Presidents in an election since FDR in 1940 and 1944 and Ford did not run with Nelson Rockefeller in 1976; after appointing him VP. Of course neither Ford or Rockefeller were elected Vice President and ford succeeded to the Presidency in 1974. Nixon had two VP's but Agnew was elected in 1968 and 1972 before he resigned in 1973,.
I think Hillary Clinton would be preferable to Biden, however I instinctively think the Dems will have a tough time in 2010 and 2012,. You can change players but the script matters.
The bigger question is why did President Obama NOT pick Hillary in 2008? You may argue Biden's foreign policy experience but if people want a change they will vote for it.
Regards,
Scott

Posted by: Scott Bill Hirst at August 9, 2010 1:49 PM